THIS is the devoted dad-of-five who died just hours before his birthday.

Francis Molyneux was mown down close to his Kensington home.

Today tributes to the 32-year-old lined the streets as his family struggled to come to terms with their grief.

Known by many in the area as Frankie, police believe the passionate LFC fan was run over by a dark-coloured Land Rover Discovery at around 10pm on Thursday in Holt Road, Kensington.

He clung on for the next 24 hours but lost his battle at 11pm on Friday – an hour before he would have turned 33.

Birthday balloons, banners and cards adorned lampposts and railings close to Mr Molyneux’s home over the weekend.

On one post, at the end of Cliff Street, next to a Liverpool scarf, rosette and away strip, his partner Keeley taped a card which read: “I will never forget you. I will always keep your memory alive for our five kids, babe.

“Devastated for you.”

Eldest daughter Georgia pinned a card and a teddy to a lamppost on the corner of Wrenbury Street simply saying “World’s best dad”.

Family and friends also left flowers and cuddly toys in tribute to the well-liked football fan.

Many of those who paused to read the verses and comments this morning fought back tears as they described Mr Molyneux as “the nicest guy you'll ever meet”.

Detectives believe the victim got involved in an argument with a gang of youths at the corner of Holt Road and Ling Street sometime between 7 and 9pm on Thursday.

At around 10pm police said he was knocked down by a dark Land Rover Discovery.

Paramedics called police after a member of the public asked for an ambulance to tend to Mr Molyneux.

Officers later arrested four men in a 4x4 on suspicion of attempted murder.

The men, aged 19 and 28 and from West Derby, a 19-year-old from Kirkby and a 21-year-old from Stockbridge Village, are currently on bail.